It was said at the weekend that you won’t hear from Lenagan for a while because he’s not giving any interviews to any media until the future set up if the game is decided.

He’s been quiet on everything.

That's convenient.


A few thoughts on Shaun Wane:

1. I suppose "everyone's a success until they fail" but it it would be a shame indeed if Shaun Wane was to be remembered for this 'omnishambles'; I haven't always liked his team selection or tactics, like many here, but I don't doubt his commitment to the cause, and frankly, I think he deserves better than this. One thing that I never felt was in doubt was the players' commitment to SW, despite some awful footy, I can easily count on the fingers of one hand the number of games where there was an apparent lack of effort.

2. I suspect some kind of falling out with IL behind the scenes; whether the full story ever comes out, who knows? I agree that Wane would have taken a calculated gamble that an announcement now wouldn't upset the team morale too much, but something clearly has, and whether it's that, or the Tomkins affair (and, indeed, what, if any input the Tomkins affair had into Wane's departure), we may never know.

However, suppose Wane had kept quiet till the end of the season, and then it had leaked out? Wouldn't that be the worst of all worlds?

3. Sam Powell. I have defended him to an extent before and am prepared to do so again. He lacks pace and his passing can lack precision. But... he is, by and large, not the problem. In recent games he has comfortably out-performed Williams, who has been entirely anonymous. People who say they can't remember Powell's last assist must have short memories; what about Hamlin's try on last night? Further, (and I'd be interested to hear other posters' comments on this) it seems to be that, for better or worse, despite all the 'split halves ' talk (and yes, we do play split halves, more or less. Like most sides in the SL and the NRL), there is considerably more interplay between Powell and Williams than there was between Tommy and Williams or Smith and Williams. It may not have borne much fruit, but I'd argue it's there!



And as I remarked elsewhere, those who advocate replacing him with Escaré; good luck with getting those tackles made that Powell makes week in, week out

4. Can't see much point in replacing him with Winder for the rest of the season.

If Wane is resigning on those sort of principles and/or has fallen out IL, why is he still here? That sort of resignation is usually followed by a quick exit out of the door. If he's decided he can't work under IL's regime what purpose does he serve by sticking around and why would IL keep him around if his coach has just told him he's leaving because he doesn't like the way he's running the club?

If there was no fallout and IL had planned this to be Wane's last season and Wane was told/found out and resigned as a result I also can't see why IL would not show him the door nor why Wane would want to stay. If the resignation came out of the blue for IL I am still not sure why either party sees it as sensible for him to remain at the club. I can only assume the parting between the two is amicable but if it is, the pair of them have underestimated the impact on the team that announcing it out of the blue like that and at that time has had.

Only in Wane's world are backs picked for their tackling ability, just like he picks wingers and centres for their ability to play prop forward for two drives in every set.

2. If there has been a fall out why is he still here? How can IL keep on a man who's fallen out with him and now resigned, a resignation that has seemingly knocked the stuffing out of the team?

And what is it with the gamble notion? What was he hoping to win from his wager? What is the up side? I can't see one. If he's gambled on it not affecting the team he must have had a compelling reason to resign now and risk the negative effects. I simply do not believe he can't have considered it might have had an effect. If he managed to convince himself it would not, then he is dimmer than I thought. I suspect the reality is he just let his ego drive his decision and resigned when it suited him lapping up the publicity but what gets me is why he is still here. If he is no longer interested in being coach what is he doing here?

There were rumours before Madge resigned as well which were unsettling but what didn't happen was him resigning just before a CC game and for no other reason than he doesn't want to coach Wigan anymore. Madge leaving was handled so much better with IL announcing it, not reacting to a bolt from the blue. I can't emphasise how important I think Wane just walking away with no job lined up is in terms of what it says about his lack of commitment to his players.

3. Sam Powell Is just not good enough.

4. Can't see much point in keeping Wane in the club. He's declared his lack of interest in the job.

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/00174692 Might want to keep a note in your calendars to look for the financial statements at the end of August. It could be that we are making additional losses to those reported in 2016. Then again the financials could be sound and IL might be calling it a day? It's worth a thought.

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/00174692 Might want to keep a note in your calendars to look for the financial statements at the end of August. It could be that we are making additional losses to those reported in 2016. Then again the financials could be sound and IL might be calling it a day? It's worth a thought.

I was told last night that Ian Lenagan is on holiday.

And I was told this week (from an untested source) that the turmoil has come because he wants to sell the club and has caused the players insecurities, resulting in a few wanting to move on to some certainty. No idea if true!

Think there’s been some housekeeping going on but I doubt he will sell up just yet

He is.